Ch: 1-12
Chapter 1: A Letter from Hogwarts
The fire in the fireplace crackled, its warm orange light illuminating the entire study.
Lin An leaned back in his leather chair, his fingertips flipping through a yellowed magic notebook.
His gaze was as calm as water, black hair falling over his forehead, but deep within his blue-gray eyes lay a coldness that did not belong to a young man.
He was handsome—the kind of handsome that would make even portraits envious. But if anyone dared to meet his gaze for too long, they would be forced to look away by his indifference.
In those eyes, there seemed to be a soul that saw through everything.
The flames flickered as a gust of air brushed past the window. Lin An looked up slightly as an owl swept through the night sky with the cold wind, landing steadily on the windowsill.
With a gentle wave of his hand, the window opened automatically. The owl flapped its wings and landed on the table, a letter in its beak.
With a flick of his finger, a plate of bread and water appeared out of thin air. As the bird bowed its head to eat, he tore open the envelope.
Dear Mr. Lin An Alvin Bones:
You have passed the preliminary review for a Professor position at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please come to the school on July 7th to meet with the Principal for final confirmation.
—Deputy Headmistress, Professor McGonagall
Lin An's fingers paused on the stationery, his eyes shifting slightly.
It had been seventeen years since he transmigrated into this World.
In his previous life, he was Chinese, named Lin An—a double PhD in mechanical engineering and chemistry, a typical research fanatic. At the age of thirty, he participated in a particle dimension experiment. It was the pinnacle of his dreams, and also the crack in his fate.
The experimental chamber collapsed, energy went out of control, and the last thing he saw was himself being engulfed by light.
When he opened his eyes again, he had become a six-year-old child.
An unfamiliar language, an unfamiliar World, and... magic.
For the first few years, he almost thought he was going mad. It wasn't until an emotional breakdown where he inadvertently caused all the candles in the room to light up at once that he became certain—this was magic.
What was even more shocking was that he later saw that name in a wizarding newspaper—Albus Dumbledore.
In that instant, he realized: he had come to the World of "Harry Potter."
That year was 1963. Exactly twenty-seven years before the original plot.
This meant—he had enough time to change fate.
However, in the tide of the First Wizarding War, what could a six-year-old orphan do?
The only thing he could rely on was his rationality and scientific knowledge from his previous life.
Thus, after graduating from Hogwarts, he became one of the few Wizards to simultaneously master Alchemy, Runes, and modern scientific thinking.
He rewrote Potion formulas using element construction theory, explained magic circulation with the conservation of energy, and invented a multitude of unprecedented things.
—Including the game that drove the entire wizarding World crazy.
"Duel Monsters," also known in reality as "yu-gi-oh!"
Lin An combined Muggle card concepts with illusion magic, allowing illusions to briefly manifest as physical entities. In just a few years, this entertainment game swept through the magic World, becoming a new craze among Wizards.
Children on the streets took pride in being able to summon the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon," adult Wizards secretly collected card decks, and even the Ministry of Magic established a Regulatory Committee.
Some called him a genius, while others said he was turning magic into a toy.
But Lin An knew that this was only the first step on his path to a "higher-level magic system."
He put away the stationery and leaned back in his chair, his gaze far-reaching.
"A Professor position... It seems Hogwarts has finally reached out."
The corners of his mouth curled slightly in a faint, mocking smile.
Three days later, the morning sun shone on the streets of London.
Lin An changed into a Muggle suit he had designed himself, covered by a black robe, and waved his hand. The air vibrated, and his figure instantly appeared in the bustling Diagon Alley.
The air was a mix of vanilla and Potion scents, with a never-ending flow of people.
He strolled through the crowd, watching two children crouching by the street, using Duel Disks on their arms to summon phantom monsters. Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, those virtual magical beasts seemed as real as a dream, drawing gasps of surprise.
He smiled faintly. Those were works he was familiar with.
"Mr. Bones!"
A sudden cry of surprise made him stop in his tracks.
A middle-aged Witch ran over with a face full of excitement, her voice so shrill it almost pierced through the street.
"It's you, isn't it? Professor Lin An?! The innovator of Alchemy and illusion! The creator of yu-gi-oh! The inventor of the 'Elixir of Life'! Hogwarts' youngest top graduate!"
Hearing the name, the people around stopped one after another, whispering excitedly.
"I heard he won the International Potions Gold Medal when he was fourteen—"
"And he's received the Order of Merlin, and even turned down a position at the Ministry of Magic."
"That 'Elixir of Life,' although it only lasts six hours, its price has increased dozens of times..."
Lin An frowned slightly.
He had never liked being stared at, and he loathed this kind of fanatical worship even more.
"Madam, please calm down."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm just too excited! Can we take a photo? My husband is right over there!"
Before he could refuse, the woman had already dragged a Wizard over, holding a Magical Camera in her hand.
"Smile—click!" A flash went off.
Lin An could only helplessly sign a few names and escaped using the excuse of an "urgent meeting."
He walked quickly into a shop on the corner and sighed softly.
Fame, prestige, applause—he had long grown tired of these things.
What he truly pursued was the essence of magic, the path leading to "dimensions."
The boy under the firelight of the fireplace was no longer naive. Seventeen years of accumulation had made him like a hidden blade.
He understood that magic and science would eventually merge into a new system in his hands.
And that letter was just a new beginning.
"Hogwarts..." he murmured softly, the smile at the corners of his mouth deepening, "It seems it's time to go back and see some old friends."
Chapter 2: The Interview
Early morning, the fog over London had not yet lifted.
Lin An Alvin pushed open the wooden door of his Potion Shop, the bell ringing clearly. The Witchbehind the counter quickly stood up to greet him, holding a thick ledger in her hands.
"Mr. Lin, here is the sales report for the past three months."
Lin An took the ledger, his eyes scanning the dense numbers. The profit was still astonishing, especially for the bottle of "Eternal Youth Potion"—it was practically the Wizarding World's ATM.
This potion could restore a person's appearance to any age she desired; whether forty or twenty, one drink could bring back youth.
It wouldn't extend life, but it allowed women to see their former youth in the mirror; young Witches used it to maintain perfect looks. Even better, the potion carried a faint Beauty Illusion, like a real-life beauty filter.
Of course, the potion was not without its cost.
Excessive consumption would lead to resistance accumulation, and the effect would gradually fade. So Lin An developed a second potion to clear this resistance.
The two potions monopolized the market, and coupled with the popularity of the yu-gi-oh! cards, he was a recognized rich man in the Wizarding World.
But wealth was not the end of his pursuit.
He needed money—to support even larger experiments.
The combination of Nuclear Energy and Magical Power, Dimension and soul, Alchemy and Science—that was his true goal.
After confirming everything was normal at the shop, Lin An put on his black robe and grabbed a handful of Floo Powder.
"Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall's office."
Green flames instantly engulfed him.
The next second, he appeared in the familiar office. Professor McGonagall was sitting upright behind her desk, still meticulous, her green robes perfectly pressed, and her gaze sharp.
"Mr. Lin, it's been a long time." Her tone was cool.
"Five years, to be precise," she added. "No one knew where you went during these five years. If it weren't for the occasional letters you sent, we would have almost thought you died in some laboratory."
Lin An smiled slightly: "Professor, you should have a little faith in me. It's not that easy to kill me."
McGonagall frowned deeply: "That's not the point. So many people worried about you when you suddenly vanished after graduation. Even the Principal mentioned your whereabouts multiple times."
"My apologies," he said sincerely. "I was indeed immersed in research during those years, and later ran into some... minor trouble."
"'Minor trouble'?" McGonagall scoffed. "I don't believe anything that happens to a person like you can be described as 'minor.'"
With that, she stood up and led the way.
The two walked through the corridor, and a Magical Stone Statue silently moved aside, revealing an ancient oak door.
"Please enter. The Principal is waiting for you."
Lin An pushed the door open and stepped inside. A familiar warmth washed over him. Blue flames burned in the fireplace, and the air smelled sweetly of Lemon Drops. On the perch in the center of the room, a Fire Phoenix was leisurely preening its feathers.
Lin An smiled and reached out to gently stroke its crest.
"Fawkes, have you considered my proposal? Come with me, I can give you a better life."
The Phoenix raised its eyes and responded lazily, "Not interested."
"Heh, always the same," he chuckled softly.
"This spell is truly marvelous, isn't it?" A gentle voice suddenly spoke.
"'Voice of Nature,' the ability to converse with living creatures. I must admit, it is one of your finest inventions."
Lin An turned around.
"Professor Dumbledore, you look more energetic than I remember."
"Thank you. Would you like some tea?"
"If you don't mind."
With a wave of his hand, the teapot automatically floated, and a clear aroma steamed up. The two sat opposite each other in silence for a moment. Dumbledore studied him with deep eyes, a gaze that seemed to pierce the soul, making one uneasy.
"Had he already reached that stage?" the Principal sighed internally. "Faster than Gellert and me, and faster than Tom."
He took a sip of tea and asked, "Mr. Lin, where have you been these past five years?"
Lin An said calmly, "After my application for a professorship was rejected back then, I followed your advice—to travel.
I went to the United States, the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil, the Pyramids of Egypt, and I also visited the Soviet Union and China. I traveled throughout not only the Wizarding World but the Muggle World as well."
Dumbledore nodded slightly, yet caught a trace of concealment in those calm eyes.
Of course, he wasn't telling the truth.
Travel?
That was just a facade.
In fact, during those five years, Lin An became the most mysterious "Academic Thief" in the world.
He infiltrated magic Academies, Alchemy Towers, and Muggle Research Institutes in various countries, stealing knowledge, Spells, Ancient Fragments, and unpublished experimental data.
In the Americas, he disguised himself as a Potion Master and infiltrated Shaman Tribes; in the Soviet Union, he blended into the Academy of Sciences' Underground Magical Energy Reactor; in China, he paid a night visit to the Kunlun Ruins, discussing Array Formations and the Principles of the soul with a Daoist.
What he stole was not wealth, but "Wisdom."
Sometimes, without spending a single weapon or soldier, he could plunder the core theory of an entire School of Thought just through a conversation.
Thus, a legend appeared in the world—
the "Phantom Thief," whose tracks spanned the globe, and whom both the Wizarding World and the Muggle World sought to avoid.
But no one knew that this mysterious thief was none other than Hogwarts' youngest genius graduate—Lin An Alvin.
"I see." Dumbledore slowly put down his teacup. "I imagine your so-called 'travels' must have been extremely... enriching."
Lin An merely smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
After a moment of silence, Dumbledore turned and walked toward the ancient table covered in Runes.
"The professorship at Hogwarts has been vacant for many years, and I need someone who can spark the students' curiosity. And you—you are clearly a dangerous yet fascinating choice."
Lin An stood up, lightly tapping the tabletop with his finger.
"Danger and curiosity are the essence of magic, aren't they?"
Dumbledore smiled faintly, blue flames flickering in his eyes.
"Welcome home, Professor Lin An."
Chapter 3: Childhood in the Flames of War
Lin An Alvin possessed two 'talents'.
The first was his 'Perfect Memory,' awakened after his transmigration—as long as he focused, he could clearly remember anything, any symbol, even the thickness of ink on a page.
The second was his innate magical aptitude.
By the age of six, he could skillfully control magic. Levitation Charms, Fire-Making Charms, and Apparition came as naturally to him as breathing. Spells that others needed weeks to practice, he could often replicate with a single glance.
This level of control both astonished and terrified him.
Because that year, he realized he was not born into peace.
The era he arrived in this world was the most brutal phase of the First Wizarding War. Lord Voldemort's forces swept across Britain, leaving corpses everywhere, and the Dark Mark constantly shrouded the night sky.
And the family he was born into was right in the center of the war.
His father was a member of the Order of the Phoenix—Edgar Alvin, an upright and stubborn Hufflepuff.
His mother was gentle yet resolute, a Ministry of Magic record-keeper. Lin An learned from their conversations that justice in this world did not always prevail.
He remembered being just a child then, but often heard explosions outside his window at night.
One day, amidst his parents' arguments, he first understood the word 'fate'.
"We can leave Britain, go to the East, to Africa, anywhere, as long as we leave here!"
"An An, this isn't running away, it's saving our lives!"
But his father refused: "I cannot abandon my comrades in the Order of the Phoenix. If everyone flees, who will resist Lord Voldemort?"
Lin An was silent.
He knew he couldn't persuade his father, but he couldn't accept 'destined death'.
So he began to make arrangements—
First, he persuaded his parents to use the Fidelius Charm to hide their home.
Unlike the tragic Potter couple, he entrusted the secret not to humans, but to a House-elf—Momo.
Because House-elves would not betray them.
Their loyalty was almost religious, and they could bypass most Anti-Apparition Wards.
This was the strongest defense.
Secondly, he put his knowledge from his previous life into their defense.
During that time, the light in their home's basement almost never went out. His parents thought he was drawing runes, but in reality, he was modifying Muggle weapons.
Gatling machine guns, concussion mines, simplified flamethrowers... these metal monsters, enhanced by magic, were enough to show any invading Death Eaters the 'horror of science'.
His mother was initially alarmed, but when the first protective rune array merged with the mechanical weapons, she fell silent.
She finally understood that although this child was young, he no longer belonged to this era.
Thanks to these arrangements, they survived the entire war.
Until Lord Voldemort's demise.
But fate always loved to mock.
The end of the war did not mean the arrival of peace—in that era full of chaos and revenge, new grudges still simmered beneath the surface.
And Lin An could not avoid loss.
That year he was eleven, and had just received his Hogwarts acceptance letter.
He didn't take the train to school—instead, he had Momo Apparate him directly.
He didn't want to be noticed, didn't want anyone to know about his talent.
But in the summer after his second year, he received terrible news:
His parents were attacked by Dark Wizards during an operation and both were killed.
And that year was the same year Lord Voldemort fell.
Fate drew an absurd circle before him.
He quietly kept vigil for his parents for three days, then packed their belongings alone.
His tears had long dried, and his heart was like a stone worn smooth by time.
Afterward, he was adopted by his Aunt Amelia—a strong Witch and a Magical Law Enforcement Officer.
Under her protection, he returned to Hogwarts, but no longer hid his brilliance.
He began to frequently visit Professors, asking them about their understanding of magic.
Whether it was the subtle variations of Runology or the energy balance of Potions, he could draw inferences from one example.
Soon, he became a renowned genius throughout the school.
Countless awards followed.
The Ministry of Magic used his fame to cover up the post-war fear, calling him the 'New Generation Dumbledore'.
Posters, reports, broadcasts—all were about his legend.
And Lin An used this fame to connect with the world's most outstanding magical scholars.
He corresponded with them, debated, and exchanged experimental data.
In just a few years, his name spread globally.
After graduation, he applied to become a Hogwarts Professor, but Dumbledore politely declined, citing his 'young age'.
So he chose to travel.
However, this 'travel' was not a journey of sightseeing, but another kind of war—
A plunder waged for 'knowledge'.
He used Polyjuice Potion and Transfiguration to infiltrate magical academies in various countries, disguised as teachers or scholars, replicating their libraries and research notes.
Not just schools, he even infiltrated the magical estates of ancient families.
Every ancient text, every fragment of a rune page, he collected.
The Muggle world was not spared either.
He knew that many lost magical texts had been seized by Muggle religious institutions, so he infiltrated the secret archives of the Vatican.
In that dimly lit stone hall, he found true ancient magic, and also saw more forged texts.
But even false books could give him inspiration.
From this, he deduced new magical theories and even created the 'Mind Circuit' model, laying the foundation for later research.
Of course, theft was never smooth.
Some ancient families had Bloodline Seals, which could not be opened by those not of their lineage;
Some powerful individuals had strong wills, unaffected by the Imperio.
For this, Lin An devised another method—
A plant from the Muggle world, 'Devil's Breath'.
It was a highly poisonous flower from South America that could instantly rob a person of their will.
He modified it with Potions, doubling its power, so that even the most stubborn Wizard would become his puppet.
In five years of shadowy existence, he amassed centuries of wisdom.
When he reappeared, he had become a presence even Dumbledore had to acknowledge.
He knew that he was still inferior in practical experience and magical reserves,
But in terms of knowledge and understanding—he had reached the pinnacle of the magical world.
Chapter 4: The Debate Between magic and Truth
Dumbledore quietly listened to Lin An's statement, fiddling with a lemon drop, his gaze gentle and profound.
"Professor Lin," he began slowly, "With your talent and achievements, whether you chose the Ministry of Magic, a research institute, or dedicated yourself to secluded study, you could easily attain status and wealth. Why insist on returning to Hogwarts to become a mere schoolteacher?"
The words were soft, yet like an invisible knife, carrying both a probe and an inquiry.
Lin An slightly raised his eyes, meeting the blue gaze hidden behind the Half-moon Spectacles. Dumbledore's look seemed capable of seeing through every ripple in the depths of one's soul. But he merely picked up his teacup calmly and smiled faintly.
"You always like to do this," he said. "You always like to look at me with that gaze, as if I might turn into another Tom Riddle at any moment."
The air immediately froze.
The portraits on the walls gasped in low whispers; several Old Headmasters even lifted their heads.
Only the portrait of Phineas showed a trace of schadenfreude.
Dumbledore remained calm, slowly biting into a sour drop.
"Lin An, you cannot blame me. The time of your rise coincided exactly with Tom's downfall. The similarities between the two of you are truly hard to ignore."
"Talent, ambition, and that kind of yearning for unknown power—"
"—A yearning for truth, Principal." Lin An interrupted him, his tone calm yet sharp. "What I pursue is not power, but knowledge. Power is merely a result of knowledge's extension, not the goal."
Dumbledore gazed at him, sighing slowly.
"Perhaps. But in your fourth year, the entire school called you the 'Dark Arts Master'. Was that title also a misunderstanding?"
Lin An shook his head, his expression still indifferent.
"I study the Dark Arts not to submit to them, but to understand them. Dark Arts and White magic are two sides of the same coin. Light and darkness coexist; denying the darkness is merely avoidance.
I admit that the Dark Arts can erode the mind, but if constrained by reason, it can be made a tool, not a cage."
"That is arrogance." Dumbledore's tone was gentle, yet concealed sorrow.
"Wizards who believe they can control the darkness are often ultimately consumed by it. Even I dare not claim to be an exception."
Lin An raised his eyes, his tone still steady: "And Wizards who flee from darkness will ultimately be controlled by it."
Their words clashed in the air, the silence heavy as iron. The firelight in the fireplace danced, and shadows intertwined on the walls.
At this moment, they seemed to stand at the two poles of the magic world—one believing in restraint and benevolence, the other advocating reason and true knowledge.
Dumbledore slowly set down his teacup and said softly, "The biggest difference between you and Tomis that you still believe in the beauty of the world."
Lin An was silent. A moment later, he smiled gently.
"Perhaps. But in my eyes, that 'beauty' is no longer simple good versus evil, but an order—a truth that can be deduced and understood."
He tilted his head slightly, looking out the window.
The night sky was deep, and the stars shimmered faintly.
"Principal, have you ever considered that humanity and Wizardkind might eventually reach their end?"
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, saying nothing.
Lin An spoke slowly: "When I was young, I had a dream—to establish a true Wizard Civilization."
"A civilization no longer suppressed by Muggle society, nor self-isolated.
I hoped to gather all the Sorcerers worldwide, pool all knowledge and resources, and advance magicsociety, allowing us to reach the stars."
A hint of surprise flashed in Dumbledore's eyes.
"The stars?"
Lin An smiled: "Muggle scientists have long proven the vastness of the universe; Earth is merely dust in the Milky Way.
They ask: Does other life exist? And I also wonder—are there other worlds, other dimensions, that have also nurtured their own 'Wizards'?"
He moved a finger, the teacup rose, and the steam transformed into a wisp of starlight in the air.
"I once fantasized that one day we could leave Earth and search for those civilizations.
Perhaps we could exchange magic Systems, energy models, and life structures with them.
If we exchange knowledge, magic Civilization will usher in true prosperity.
That would be a Golden Age—
Spells, potions, and Alchemy would be redefined;
New magical creatures and unknown plants would be discovered;
We would explore the essence of time and space, death and love, soul and consciousness.
Wizards would no longer be short-lived mortals, but a long-lived race pursuing cosmic truth."
In the firelight, his eyes seemed to burn with starlight.
"At that time, I thought this was the ultimate goal."
He paused for a moment, his tone suddenly dropping.
"But later I discovered that it was just a dream."
Dumbledore did not interrupt, merely watching him quietly.
"The deeper I researched, the more I understood the boundary between magic and humanity.
We might be able to explore the stars, but we cannot surpass the shadows of the heart.
On the path of pursuing knowledge, arrogance is more fatal than the Dark Arts.
I once wanted to lead Wizard civilization across dimensions, but I also saw another outcome—
When power is unrestrained, it ceases to be a ladder for civilization and becomes a seed of destruction."
The fire crackled softly, illuminating their profiles.
Dumbledore slowly stood up, his gaze benevolent yet profound.
"Lin An, perhaps this is the real reason you have returned."
Lin An remained silent for a long time, then smiled faintly: "Perhaps. One must eventually learn to reconcile with the world."
"But I still believe that the limit of magic—lies not in power, but in understanding."
Dumbledore showed a smile that was almost melancholy.
"May you always remember what you said today."
The two looked at each other in silence, with only the faint crackling of the fireplace flames audible.
It was a silent resonance, and a dialogue that transcended ideologies.
The night deepened, and the wind swept through the window crack, carrying the scent of tea.
Outside the window, starlight still shimmered in the distance—
As if responding to the oath buried by time:
"Seek the truth, even to the end of the stars."
Chapter 5: magic and Doomsday Theory
The air in Dumbledore's office was so still it was almost solidified.
Lin An Alvin's previous discourse on "Wizard Civilization" still echoed between every portrait and every candle flame.
Even the portraits of the successive Principals were uncommonly silent.
Their expressions were complex—containing both longing and fear. Such a magnificent Wizard world, full of order and power, seemed almost mythical.
Finally, Phineas Black couldn't help but speak, sneering, "Haha, Professor Lin, only a high-born Pure-blood Noble like yourself would dream up such a 'perfect' civilization."
As soon as he finished speaking, the female Principal Derwent in the adjacent portrait frowned in displeasure and glared fiercely at him.
Lin An merely smiled faintly, his gaze as calm as a lake: "In the world I envision, the word 'noble' still exists, but it has nothing to do with bloodline. Nobility is not a privilege of birth, but a symbol of ability and contribution.
Powerful Wizards, great researchers, heroes who guard the world—they deserve respect.
But if their descendants are incompetent, lazy, and merely occupy the family estate—they only deserve to inherit wealth, not status.
If, after three generations, they still achieve nothing, bloodline will lose its meaning."
His voice was calm, yet imbued with an undeniable rationality.
Dumbledore was silent for a moment, his eyes flickering with complex light.
"The ideal is beautiful," he said softly, "but establishing such a civilization inevitably involves blood and war. History is not gentle in achieving dreams."
"And," his tone shifted slightly, "what about Muggles? In the world you envision, where would they go?"
Lin An's fingertips tapped lightly on the teacup, firelight flickering in his eyes.
"You are correct, Professor. If Wizard Civilization truly rises, it will indeed commit countless atrocities.
But tell me—which great civilization in the world was not born from war and sacrifice?"
Dumbledore did not refute him, merely sighing.
"So, are you planning to start that war?"
Lin An suddenly smiled, his voice low and calm.
"No, I have already given up."
At that moment, all the portraits in the room showed surprise. Phineas was so startled he nearly jumped out of his frame.
"You gave up?!" he cried out.
Lin An took a sip of tea, his expression indifferent.
"Yes. I gave up because I understood—the true endgame will not be initiated by Wizards."
"What do you mean?" Dumbledore's tone became cautious.
"I often thought later, if human civilization continues to develop like this, what will the outcome be?
The answer I reached is—war will eventually break out.
And this war will not be provoked by Wizards, but by Muggles."
Phineas scoffed, "Nonsense! How dare Muggles declare war on us? Just a few Imperio spells are enough to make their leaders beg for mercy!"
Lin An turned to look at him, his eyes calm.
"Do you know? Muggles landed on the Moon more than twenty years ago."
"Landed on... the Moon?" Phineas frowned, his expression somewhat bewildered.
"Yes," Lin An said softly, "They crossed the sky using science and steel. That was just the beginning.
Their technology is progressing at a speed that even magic cannot match.
You can mock their weakness, but you cannot deny their intelligence.
And Wizards? We still use medieval laws and copy scrolls with quill pens.
What has been our greatest achievement in hundreds of years? The Philosopher's Stone? That was created six hundred years ago.
We have spatial magic, yet we haven't even been to the Moon.
While Muggles have already begun exploring the stars."
He slowly raised his head, his tone becoming sharp: "We pride ourselves on being mysterious and noble, but in reality, we have long been stuck in our ways.
The Muggle world is advancing rapidly, while the Wizard world is rotting in place."
These words caused varied expressions among the portraits. Some were angry, others were deep in thought.
Only Dumbledore remained quiet, though the worry in his eyes deepened.
Phineas said furiously, "As long as we control their rulers, everything can be solved! Imperio, Confundus Charms, Memory Charms—that's enough to make them kill each other!"
"Not entirely correct." Lin An faintly shook his head. "People with strong wills can resist the Imperio, and their numbers far exceed ours.
Seven billion—a number we wouldn't even dare to imagine.
How many can you control? A hundred people? A thousand?
War is not won by spells, but by will and system.
When their weapons cover the sky, when machines require no sleep, when information flows faster than magic—
Any single spell will be swallowed up in a storm of metal."
Phineas opened his mouth, but couldn't speak another word.
Lin An looked at Dumbledore, his expression calm: "If Muggles and Wizards ever clash, Wizards will surely lose."
The air solidified. Some portraits cursed in anger, others lamented in sorrow. Only Dumbledorecontinued to watch him quietly.
"But you just said—you have abandoned those ambitions. So why propose this doomsday theory?"
Lin An's finger gently rubbed the rim of the teacup.
"Because I want to tell you—the demise of Wizards does not mean the end.
If we lose, we might instead usher in a new awakening.
The collapse of the old order is the starting point of a new civilization.
Muggle science will force Wizards to rethink the essence of magic, to understand the unity of energy, matter, and soul.
We will be forced to change, moving from secrecy toward rationality, from mystery back to true knowledge.
Destruction and rebirth are inherently two sides of the same coin."
Dumbledore said softly, "You believe war can actually redeem Wizards?"
"Perhaps." Lin An chuckled softly. "History is never gentle, but it is always fair.
It will cleanse the corrupt souls and leave behind the race capable of adapting to the future.
I no longer fantasize about the glory of dominating the world; I only hope—
When the flames burn away the old world, someone will still be able to pick up the light in the ashes."
The firelight flickered, illuminating the dim silhouettes of the two men.
It was a collision of ideal and reality, faith and reason.
The sound of the wind outside the room began to rise, like the whisper of distant ages.
Dumbledore slowly stood up, his gaze profound: "You remind me of Grindelwald when he was young."
Lin An smiled lightly: "The difference is, I know when to stop."
Chapter 6: The Birth of New Humans
"If Muggles really won that war, they would destroy all of us!"
An old Wizard in a portrait shouted indignantly.
Lin An Alvin merely shook his head faintly, his tone calm, almost cold.
"No, they won't destroy us. At least not immediately."
His gaze was profound, as if it pierced through time, seeing a future that had not yet arrived.
"When Muggles win the war, they won't be satisfied with victory.
They will be curious, they will be envious, they will desire—desire everything we possess.
They will deconstruct magic with science and reason, treating Wizards as research subjects, as lab rats."
The portraits stirred in an uproar.
"They will dissect us, analyzing the source of magic, neural structures, and soul characteristics within our bodies.
Initially, they only want to understand magic.
But once they understand, they will try to replicate it.
I believe they will eventually succeed."
Lin An's voice was low and firm: "They will find a way for Muggles to possess magic.
At that time, new Wizards will be born from Muggle society.
I call them—the New Magical Race."
He paused for a moment, seemingly weighing the importance of each word.
"These 'New Humans' will combine science and magic, establishing a brand new civilization.
Their thinking will be rigorous, their system efficient, inheriting the logic of technology and the creativity of magic.
Even if only one percent of them awaken magic, their numbers will still far exceed the total sum of all our Wizards.
That will be a new era—belonging to them, not to us."
Phineas Black suddenly stood up, almost leaping out of his portrait frame.
"Absurd! Preposterous! How could such a blasphemous fantasy of magic come true!"
"Calm down, Phineas."
Dumbledore put down his teacup, his tone gentle, yet unable to conceal the deep-seated tremor within him.
He knew this young man wasn't boasting. Every word Lin An spoke seemed to come from a distant future.
"You are merely envisioning a possibility," Dumbledore slowly began, "the future is not yet set."
Lin An smiled faintly: "Perhaps, but trends never lie.
The succession of civilizations never halts for beliefs."
Dumbledore looked at him, asking in a deep voice, "Mr. Lin, you said this is one of the reasons you gave up your ambitions. So, what is the other half of the reason?"
Lin An was silent for a moment before softly replying, "Because of my parents."
The fireplace flames flickered slightly.
In that instant, the entire office fell silent. Even the portraits held their breath.
Lin An's voice was devoid of emotion, yet it sounded more like a cold, hard confession.
"It wasn't Lord Voldemort who killed them, but this world."
Dumbledore's brow twitched slightly.
"Lord Voldemort was merely the result, the embodiment of all the flaws in Wizarding society.
The arrogance of pure-blood supremacists, the humiliation of oppressed Muggle-borns, the divisions between bloodlines, the decay of old institutions... all of these were the soil that nurtured Lord Voldemort."
He looked up, a hint of sorrow flashing in his eyes: "So, my parents weren't killed by one person, but by the entire Wizarding world.
At that time, I thought, if I could truly establish a new civilization—
Is such a race truly worth saving?"
Silence once again fell over the room for a long time.
Several portraits sighed softly. Headmistress Derwent said quietly, "Child, your hatred runs too deep."
Lin An did not reply, merely gazing calmly at the flames.
Dumbledore finally spoke: "I understand your anger, and I regret what happened to your parents.
But do not deny the entire magical world because of the sins of a few.
There are still many people striving to protect goodness and hope, just like your parents."
Lin An lifted his gaze, his eyes clear and cold: "The 'few' you speak of are precisely the rulers of this world.
They hold power, control resources, and determine laws and destinies.
The goodness of the majority is worthless before them."
These words made the air in the room grow heavier.
Dumbledore opened his mouth, but ultimately did not argue further.
—Lin An had not revealed the full truth.
He had indeed abandoned his grand vision of leading Wizarding civilization, but not out of despair.
Rather, it was because he had found another path.
He believed that with his talent and knowledge, he would eventually find a way to traverse dimensions.
When he could freely move between different universes, he would not need the support of any nation or race.
That was his ultimate goal—
To embark on the path of the stars, to become an existence spanning countless worlds.
His legend would be sung across myriad dimensions.
And the first step was to obtain the "pinnacle of Alchemy"—the philosophers stone.
This was his true purpose in returning to Hogwarts.
Dumbledore's voice interrupted his thoughts: "So, Professor Lin, can you tell me—why do you want to return to teach at Hogwarts?"
Lin An smiled: "Because this place holds my most cherished memories.
It taught me reason, and it taught me dreams.
In a way, it's my second home.
Of course, there's another small reason."
He pointed to the towering bookshelf behind him: "I've longed for the ancient texts in the Restricted Section for a long time.
It's a pity that every time I wanted to go in back then, you always stood in the doorway."
Dumbledore paused, then burst out laughing.
That smile carried a hint of helplessness, and also a touch of relief.
The interview quietly drew to a close. Dumbledore asked a few more innocuous questions, then dismissed him.
Lin An stood up and gently closed the door. The moment the wooden door shut, the firelight reflected in Dumbledore's eyes.
Phineas Black's voice was the first to break the silence: "What a terrifying fellow."
"Terrifying?" another portrait asked, puzzled, "Do you mean his ambition?"
"No," Phineas snorted, "I mean his superficial 'giving up'.
Do you really believe such a person would stop there?
I think he's already found another way."
Derwent sighed: "Perhaps. But maybe he's just tired."
"Tired? Ha, if he were really tired, he wouldn't have returned to Hogwarts." Phineas scoffed, "I bet he came back not to teach, but to continue his plan."
Dumbledore did not speak, merely gazing quietly at the flames.
The light of the flames reflected in his ancient eyes, flickering with a faint, elusive hint of worry.
Chapter 7: Materials
After leaving Dumbledore's office, Lin An Alvin stepped into the fireplace and vanished into the emerald flames.
The next moment, he emerged from a small house in Hogsmeade. It was his secret residence in town, ordinary on the outside but equipped with complex protective charms within.
He didn't return to his aunt's house—that upright Auror was probably reading The Daily Prophet right now, preparing to question him both as an aunt and in her official capacity.
He knew it too well: tomorrow's headline would definitely be—
"Legendary Genius Lin An Alvin Returns to Hogwarts!"
He sighed, shed his outer robes, and donned a hooded cloak.
As night fell, he became a blur, Apparating and disappearing into the air.
Hours later, he appeared in a secluded valley. Cold wind carried damp mist, and wolf howls echoed in the distance. Lin An stood silently in the darkness, waiting.
Soon, ten dark figures appeared one after another, surrounding him.
"As the rumors say, you're still alive," one of them sneered, raising his wand.
Lin An's voice was indifferent: "It seems Robertie is still not honest enough."
Before his words finished, he raised his wand.
An invisible sword light sliced through the air, and the Wizard closest to him was cut in half instantly. A mist of blood billowed in the night.
It was an improved version he had evolved from Snape's Sectumsempra curse.
Faster attack, invisible trajectory.
The other nine retreated in terror, chanting spells in unison, nine curses almost simultaneously streaking towards him.
Lin An raised his left hand, and a translucent energy shield materialized.
Light and magic collided, sparks flying. Several curses were deflected, backfiring onto their casters.
Several people dodged clumsily, but this dispersed their formation. Lin An instantly seized the opening, his body transforming into a cloud of shadowy mist.
The next moment, he appeared behind two isolated Wizards.
Red light bloomed in his hand, like a solidified flame sword.
It was a spell he created based on his beloved movie from his previous life, Star Wars—
Lightsaber Curse.
"Hiss—"
The sword light swept past, and two bodies fell to the ground, scorched marks running across their chests.
"Next," he murmured.
Green light blazed brightly.
Someone took the opportunity to cast Avada Kedavra.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Lin An shifted slightly, the green light grazing his shoulder and shattering a rock.
He waved his hand, and the ground beneath his feet instantly transformed into metallic spikes, erupting from below.
The caster was impaled like a sieve before he could even scream.
By now, four of the ten had died.
The remaining Wizards' eyes showed fear, their breathing erratic. Some tried to Apparate away, but found their bodies dragged by a strange force.
"Don't bother," Lin An said coldly.
"This is an Anti-Apparition Barrier I set up. After studying Hogwarts for seven years, I naturally learned it."
They realized in horror that they had nowhere to escape.
The five exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and raised their wands simultaneously—
"Protego!"
A massive combined shield rose, five streams of magic intertwining to form an impenetrable barrier.
Lin An paused for a moment, sighing softly: "Unfortunately, you chose the wrong opponent."
He raised his wand, light shimmering at its tip.
"Explosion—Extreme."
A thunderous roar.
The entire valley was engulfed in blinding white light. The air vibrated, dust churned, and rocks shattered.
When everything returned to silence, only shattered flesh and blood mist remained on the ground; the shield had long vanished without a trace.
Lin An put away his wand, his gaze as calm as still water.
"Come out, Robertie."
From the distant darkness, a cloaked man appeared, his expression stiff.
"Mr. Lin, long time no see," he forced a smile.
"You sent them to test me?" Lin An's voice was devoid of warmth.
Robertie gave a wry smile: "Just being cautious. After all, you were out of contact for two years; I thought something had happened to you."
Lin An slowly raised his wand, his tone indifferent: "Your explanation is too light."
The other man quickly extended his hand: "I am willing to compensate—double the materials, free of charge."
Lin An narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Alright."
Robertie secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but cold sweat still seeped from his spine.
His ten Wizards—each possessing Auror-level combat power—were now all dead within minutes.
This level of strength had long surpassed the scope of a "genius."
After confirming Lin An's agreement, Robertie waved his wand, and a group of prisoners bound by chains were teleported to the ground.
Ten men, pale-faced, had residual curse marks etched on their bodies.
Lin An approached, lightly tapping one man's forehead with his fingertip.
"Reveal."
The man's head began to twist, a half-human, half-wolf face appearing, but then it froze in mid-struggle.
Lin An scanned the other nine, speaking faintly: "All Werewolves. Grave crimes, blood debts. Good materials."
"So, it's a deal?" Robertie probed.
"Deal."
As his words fell, Lin An raised his hand, dispelling the Anti-Apparition Barrier.
Robertie immediately Apparated away, leaving only a faint trace of his presence.
Lin An watched that direction, his expression cold.
"It seems it's time to get rid of him."
He took a bag from his cloak and put all the Werewolves into it. The bag had been enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, capable of holding countless items.
Then, he put his wand into the mouth of the bag and whispered:
"Accio, Robertie's hair."
A strand of black hair floated out of thin air, landing in his palm.
He began chanting a strange spell, his movements like a dance. Then he took out white powder and gently blew on it.
The powder fell onto the hair, and a dark shadow slowly crawled out, like a living thing, then disappeared into the air.
This was a curse he had improved from Haitian Voodoo rituals.
He had accidentally stumbled into that land during a cross-dimensional experiment, witnessing the power of "Spirit Curses" firsthand.
After that night, he began to study the structure of souls and curses.
Now, he had finally mastered the most primitive and cruel method—
Using bloodline as a guide, taking the heart as a sacrifice.
He murmured softly: "Tomorrow morning, you will be found, looking terrified, with an empty chest."
With that, he waved his wand, summoning powerful acid. The air was filled with a corrosive smell. The bodies and bloodstains rapidly dissolved, leaving no trace.
Then, he cast a Reverse Trace Charm, making this valley forever immune to divination or restoration.
After everything was done, the night deepened.
Lin An stood silently in the mountain wind, his black robes fluttering.
He looked into the distance, his eyes stern—
"The first step of the philosophers stone is complete."
Chapter 8: The Secret of the Bloodline
Upon returning home, Lin An Alvin went directly into a sealed room.
The room was empty, save for a suitcase lying quietly in the center of the floor, surrounded by complex defensive spells.
He stepped forward and gently pressed it; the lid opened.
It was not an ordinary space, but an entrance to his private world.
—It was his true laboratory.
The internal space of this suitcase had been subjected to extremely powerful undetectable extension charms, making it even larger than Newt Scamander's case.
Inside, countless rooms, passages, and experiment tables were interspersed, with rune arrays flickering and magic flowing like veins.
In one of the main laboratories, ten Werewolves lay sleeping on the ground, their chests gently rising and falling.
However, these were not the most terrifying sights.
Surrounding the entire room were dozens of tall test tubes.
Emerald green solution churned in the tubes, with various magical creatures floating within—
Dragons, Hippogriffs, Vampires, House-elves, and even Merpeople.
On the shelves, hundreds of glass bottles containing soaked organs were displayed.
The purpose of all this was singular:
Bloodline research.
Lin An wanted to understand what essential differences existed between magical creatures and ordinary creatures.
What gave them magic? What secrets were hidden in their "blood"?
If he could find this answer, he would be able to uncover the origin of "Wizard bloodlines."
At seventeen, his magic growth reached a bottleneck.
Previously, he had used self-made Potions to accelerate his magic growth, increasing it to twenty-five times that of an average adult Wizard in just one year.
However, the growth completely stopped at that point.
Initially, he thought this was the limit.
Until he discovered—Dumbledore's magic was fifty times that of an ordinary person.
This discovery shocked him.
He spent a full year researching and finally understood that "twenty-five times" was the ceiling for most talented Wizards, while legendary figures like Dumbledore and Grindelwald had clearly broken through that "barrier."
The question was—how did they do it?
To find the answer, he had once infiltrated Nurmengard Castle under an assumed name to observe the imprisoned Grindelwald firsthand.
He confirmed that the Dark Lord also possessed fifty times the magic.
Thus, he speculated—
They had found a way to break the Wizard's limit.
Dumbledore might have used the power of the Phoenix Fawkes, while Grindelwald might have relied on the elder wand.
And Lord Voldemort achieved the same breakthrough through Horcruxes.
Lin An did not choose their paths.
He embarked on his own path—the path of the bloodline.
He proposed a startling hypothesis:
The first Wizards were not born with magic but accidentally absorbed the blood of powerful magical creatures.
As a result, their bodies mutated, giving birth to humanity's first magical bloodline.
If he could analyze the essence of this bloodline and reconstruct its structure, he could break through that barrier—
And even open the door to higher dimensions.
So, he began to hunt magical creatures, collect blood samples, decompose tissues, and verify them using scientific methods.
He also stole several DNA observation instruments from the Muggle world, but the backward technology limited his gains.
Thus, he began global operations.
He secretly contacted top scientists and engineers, forcing them to cooperate with money, threats, or magic;
He controlled several world-class billionaires to provide unlimited funding for his research.
Within a year, an entire set of hybrid instruments spanning magic and technology was created.
Now, these achievements were displayed before him.
Lin An waved his wand, awakening a Werewolf.
The man was still groggy when he opened his eyes but immediately became rigid at a gesture from Lin An.
Blood Curse—derived from an Eastern forbidden technique, similar to "Blood Bending" in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
He directed the Werewolf into a white Chamber, separated by glass.
As a rune lit up, an Alchemical device simulating moonlight projected from the ceiling, casting silver light upon the man.
The Werewolf let out a low growl, its body began to twist, and bones churned beneath its skin.
Meanwhile, the instruments began to operate, and complex molecular structure images flickered on the light screen.
Lin An watched the screen, recording every genetic change without missing a single detail.
He was searching for that mysterious "bloodline chain"—the source of all magic.
Several hours later, still no results.
He gently waved his wand, and the Werewolf fell to the ground, unconscious.
The next moment, a Muggle man was summoned into the room.
Before he could speak, he was pounced on and bitten by the Werewolf.
Lin An immediately separated the two, stabilizing the Muggle's life with magic.
He calmly observed—the DNA change appeared again.
Unlike ordinary infection, the magic reacted more intensely within the Muggle's body.
"Indeed, Werewolves are the only species that can alter bloodlines through saliva and blood," he murmured softly.
This was precisely why he chose them.
He wanted to trace the origin of that bloodline, to find the critical node where magic and life intertwined.
The data on the screen began to jump rapidly.
A new link flickered under the microscope, an unprecedented energy fluctuation.
Lin An's heartbeat quickened accordingly—
That might be the starting point of the Wizard bloodline.
He pressed the save button, his eyes shimmering with a mix of rationality and fanaticism.
"Human evolution restarts today."
He raised his wand, sealing the entire laboratory, and all instruments fell silent.
Ten Werewolves remained in a deep slumber, and the Muggle's body slowly floated in the glowing liquid.
In the night, he returned to the entrance of the suitcase, muttering to himself:
"Dumbledore, Grindelwald, Lord Voldemort... you may all have broken through limits, but I will surpass you.
I will not just be a 'powerful' Wizard—
I will be the first to reshape bloodlines and control dimensions."
Chapter 9: The Life Code
The final scene of the Werewolf experiment froze on the screen, blood analysis charts flashing like a storm.
Lin An Alvin leaned back in his chair, his brows furrowed.
After the Muggle transformed into a Werewolf, a genetic mutation indeed occurred, yet there was still no measurable magic reaction.
He felt as if he was only one step away from the truth, but there was always that invisible barrier he couldn't cross.
He pondered in silence for a long time, then suddenly stood up and turned to another storage room.
It was the Potion room. Hundreds of bottles and jars were neatly arranged, their labels bearing various Potion names—some containing half-empty liquid, others long since empty.
He searched carefully, finally finding a small, transparent white bottle on the top shelf, filled with a molten-gold liquid.
The name on the label shimmered—Felix Felicis.
It was the 'liquid luck' he had personally brewed.
Lin An smiled, pursed his lips, and without hesitation, tilted his head back and drank the Potion.
A warm, golden light flowed down his throat, then spread throughout his body.
An indescribable feeling of confidence surged like a tide.
He knew that he was now on destiny's 'optimal path'.
He returned to the laboratory and waved his wand again.
A flash of light, and a Dark Wizard was apparated onto the experimental table—
This time, it wasn't a Muggle, but a captured Wizard.
Lin An had the Werewolf bite him, then quickly separated the two and placed the Dark Wizard into the analysis chamber.
He pulled up the data and observed intently.
On the screen, the double helix structure slowly rotated.
Suddenly, a faint energy wave flickered on the image—a minute, almost imperceptible magic vibration.
"Found it."
Lin An's heart tightened abruptly.
He magnified the focus, trying to capture the form of that energy.
But the instrument couldn't identify it; all data was blank.
He narrowed his eyes, suddenly remembering something.
"Dementors are invisible to Muggles... perhaps machines can't see magic either."
Although the instrument had been magically modified, it was still essentially a product of technology.
If that energy belonged to the'spiritual' level, it naturally couldn't be observed.
Lin An took a deep breath and put away his wand.
"It seems I need to try a different approach."
He cast all the magic related to 'vision':
From the most basic Supersensory Charm to his self-developed'Spirit Vision,' the latter being a new technique he had formulated after dissecting countless magical creature eyeballs.
Runes flickered in his eyes, and his pupils turned silver.
When his gaze fell upon that spot again—
He saw a completely different world.
It was a strange space interwoven with symbols, light, and totems.
Countless symbols and lines floated in the air, like an endless stream of text.
Those symbols sometimes flickered like flowing water, sometimes fell like stars.
He focused intently and finally recognized familiar shapes—
They were ancient runes.
He had studied Ancient Runes under Professor Babbling at Hogwarts and had corresponded with many researchers for years, making him highly proficient.
He immediately took out his notebook and quickly recorded and deciphered those 'texts'.
Hours later, the results left him almost breathless.
This was not an ordinary language, but a structural code existing deep within life.
He called it—the Life Code.
It was the foundation of all life, composed of three parts:
Body, soul, and bloodline.
The body part corresponds to DNA, determining a person's form and physiological characteristics;
The soul part determines consciousness and spiritual capacity;
And the bloodline part is the core of magic.
Lin An's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Finally... I found it."
He discovered that Muggles also possess a Life Code, but their 'bloodline segment' is completely blank, and their soul part is extremely weak.
This means that the difference between them and Wizards is not in organs, not in intelligence, but in the presence or absence of a bloodline.
His brain raced.
If he could modify the 'bloodline segment,' could Muggles gain magic?
Or—make a Wizard's bloodline stronger?
He couldn't help but recall some examples.
Lord Voldemort's Parseltongue talent originated from Salazar Slytherin's bloodline;
And Harry Potter, after being invaded by a fragment of the Dark Lord's soul, also gained the same ability.
This indicates that there is a transferable connection between bloodline and soul.
"Bloodline... is not merely genetic, but an extension of the soul."
Lin An seemed to understand, and immediately turned to the experimental table to continue his deductions.
The problem then arose:
If the Life Code truly exists, how could he modify it?
Innumerable possibilities flashed through his mind.
Alchemy? Too crude.
Potions? Cannot penetrate to the genetic level.
Runes? Can record, but cannot change.
Suddenly, a thought struck him—
Transfiguration.
Transfiguration can directly alter material structure, and 'Human Transfiguration' can even reversibly reorganize life forms.
Theoretically, it is entirely possible for it to touch the Life Code.
He acted quickly, securing the Dark Wizard on the dissection table.
The experiment began.
Lin An took a deep breath, concentrated, and used Transfiguration to try and touch that bloodline code.
He felt a strange connection, as if his soul resonated with the Wizard's 'life structure'.
He attempted to subtly modify one of the symbols.
The next second—
The Wizard's body convulsed violently, blood spurting from his ears, nose, and mouth.
Seconds later, he collapsed, lifeless.
Lin An approached to examine him, finding that the man's DNA had completely collapsed, and his Life Code was torn apart.
He frowned deeply, silent for a long time, then gently waved his wand.
The body was sent to the incineration area, and new experimental material was apparated in.
"It seems the intervention of Transfiguration is too crude.
A more precise method must be found."
He placed another Werewolf on the experimental table and began a new attempt.
Failure followed failure, time and again.
But his gaze grew only more resolute.
"No matter how many times... I will uncover the truth of life."
He murmured softly, his fingertips brushing against the silver light screen.
The chain of ancient runes shimmered before him,
As if awaiting a future to be deciphered.
Chapter 10: Serenity Spell
Seven days passed.
Lin An Alvin stood in the center of the laboratory, his brows deeply furrowed as he gazed at the corpses strewn across the floor.
Ten Werewolves, five Dark Wizards—all had died in the experiments of the past week.
He had tried countless times to correct the Code of Life, yet he remained stuck in the same dead end.
The complexity of the Code of Life was beyond imagination.
Even changing one tiny symbol could trigger a cascade of unpredictable chain reactions.
This was a confrontation with the 'Law of Existence' itself, and he was not yet qualified to win.
He was still moving forward.
This week, he was not without gains.
He discovered an important finding during his research—the magic Core.
Every Wizard possesses such a core, which stores magic and is the source of spellcasting.
Some cores are round, some triangular, and a rare few have a cubic structure.
Ordinary Wizards usually have round cores, while top-tier magic users like Dumbledore and Grindelwald often have complex and stable core forms.
Even more interestingly, even Squibs possess a core within them—
It's just that their cores are dormant, without light or breath.
Years ago, he had tried to transplant a Wizard's core into others to enhance their magic.
He solved dozens of technical problems, yet still ended in failure.
Firstly, the core was difficult to extract. It was not a physical organ but existed between the soul and the bloodline.
Even if forcibly stripped, it would disintegrate instantly.
And when he successfully transplanted it using special methods, there were only two outcomes:
Either there was no reaction, or the recipient experienced strong rejection, with their internal magicrunning wild, ultimately leading to death.
It wasn't until he began researching the Code of Life that he finally understood the reason.
—Bloodline determines the way the core exists, and the soul determines the core's ownership.
The core carries the soul imprint of its owner, and when transplanted, this imprint conflicts with the recipient's soul.
This was the true root of 'rejection'.
The experiment was temporarily paused.
He had no new materials and no new inspiration for the time being.
Continuing would only increase the number of corpses.
He sighed, extinguished the rune array, and left the laboratory.
"Perhaps it's time for a different approach," he murmured softly.
"If I could observe a Wizard life in gestation—from embryo to birth—perhaps I could understand the natural formation process of the Code of Life."
This thought, though fleeting, sent a shock through his heart.
His gaze grew serious, and his breathing hitched slightly.
He knew he was always calm and rational, but he would never harm a child.
Such a thought should not appear in his mind.
He gently pressed his forehead.
"It seems... my mind is troubled."
Lin An put away all his experimental equipment and stepped out of the suitcase.
After leaving the manor, he used Apparition, disappearing into the night.
Moments later, he appeared in a dimly lit alley in London.
He changed into ordinary Muggle clothes, raised his hand to summon a gust of wind, and stole a few newspapers from a street corner to confirm the location and time.
Then, he Apparated again, appearing at a massive concert venue.
Stage lights blazed, the crowd roared, and music reverberated.
Tens of thousands of Muggles were immersed in the revelry, laughter and song interweaving into the purest joy.
Lin An stood in the shadows of the crowd, raised his wand, and whispered softly.
"Patronus Charm."
A silver light shot into the sky, and a gigantic silver eagle spread its wings, soaring into the night.
As its wings unfurled, it seemed to stir even the starlight.
However, all the Muggles remained oblivious.
In their eyes, it was merely a breeze passing by, and lights flickering.
The silver eagle flew high, paused in the air, then opened its beak, making a swallowing motion.
Countless tiny silver specks of light drifted up from the crowd, slowly being consumed by it.
Those were happy memories.
This was another one of Lin An's inventions—
A reverse spell, inspired by Dementors.
Unlike Dementors, his Patronus would not devour souls or steal happiness.
It would only stimulate Muggles' beautiful memories and then absorb the positive energy fluctuations produced by them.
A few minutes later, the silver eagle's size had expanded several times, shimmering with dazzling brilliance.
It swooped down, rejoining Lin An's body.
In that instant, a warm power flowed through his entire body, and the oppressive shadow was completely dispelled.
His thoughts became clear again, and even the air felt lighter.
He exhaled a long breath.
"Much better."
He knew that Dark Arts could erode the caster's mind.
Especially for someone like him, who delved deep into its essence.
Without protection, his spirit would eventually be swallowed by darkness.
So he modified the Patronus Charm, making it a true 'Guardian of the Mind'.
He called it—the Serenity Spell.
Lin An never considered himself a Dark Wizard.
He admitted he was cruel, rational, even cold-blooded, but he had never lost his bottom line.
Just as now, he could still cast the Patronus Charm—this in itself was proof.
To summon a Patronus, a Wizard must possess sufficiently strong happy memories in their heart.
And Lin An had far more than just one.
He remembered his parents' laughter when they were still alive.
His mother's pride in her eyes the first time he held a wand.
Amidst the fear and darkness of wartime, they would still light a lamp for him at the dinner table.
Later, after his parents died in battle, his aunt Amelia adopted him.
Outsiders thought she was cold and strict, but Lin An knew she merely used a tough exterior to hide her warmth.
That silent love was the last warmth that sustained him through his teenage years.
Recalling it now, he would still smile faintly.
He had experienced death and been reborn.
The meaning of being alive was clearer to him than to anyone else.
He pursued magic not for power, but for understanding—
That passion for exploring the unknown far surpassed any glory.
Whenever he unveiled a truth, he felt a subtle sense of satisfaction.
It was as if the mysterious Goddess of magic stood before him, and he was slowly, piece by piece, lifting her veil.
Even just revealing a corner was enough to make his heart pound.
This was his reason for continuing forward.
As night deepened, the music's rhythm still pulsed.
Lin An looked at the sea of lights, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
"Not a bad therapy session."
He turned, took out the communication mirror he carried, lightly touched his wand to its surface, projecting rune light and shadow.
"Are you free now?"
A few minutes later, the mirror lit up, and a familiar voice responded—
"Yes, do you want to come over?"
Lin An smiled faintly.
"Of course."
With a flash of light and shadow, his figure vanished into the night sky.
Chapter 11: The Fire of Inspiration
The emerald flames in the fireplace flickered, and Lin An stepped out of the firelight, his gaze slightly raised.
The lights in the room were already on.
She was a woman in her thirties, elegant and alluring, her beauty untouched by time, each glance carrying a mature charm.
She practically threw herself into his arms the moment he appeared, their lips meeting, their breaths intertwining.
"Lin An, I haven't seen you in five years."
"I know," he whispered with a smile, "but you still look as enchanting as ever, as if time has never touched you."
"That's because your anti-aging potion worked," the woman chuckled, her fingertips tracing his jawline. "Too bad the effect is so short. Can't it be extended a bit? Or... made permanent?"
"If that were the case, I'd be out of business."
"Sounds like a Slytherin answer."
"The Sorting Hat did hesitate for a long time back then," he teased. "Luckily, my thirst for knowledge outweighed my ambition."
Amidst laughter, they became intertwined once more.
Until her breathing quickened, and he suddenly stopped.
"Where's your husband?"
"He's out, taking the children on vacation. He won't be back for a few more hours."
As the words fell, clothes scattered to the floor... A few hours later, the night outside was deep.
Lin An leaned against the headboard, the woman in his arms already asleep, her breathing even.
He wasn't sleeping.
On the contrary, after his physical fatigue subsided, his mind became even clearer.
Werewolf Curse.
The phrase flashed through his mind.
The moment a Werewolf bites a human, the virus invades the bloodstream, changing their constitution—this is a reconstruction at the bloodline level.
If he could isolate that 'conversion factor' and control it... wouldn't that be equivalent to mastering the key to rewriting the 'code of life'?
He sat up, his eyes glinting in the dark night.
"If the mutation mechanism can be artificially controlled, one can change bloodlines without pain, and even reverse curses..."
This was a completely new direction.
Formulas and magic circle structures appeared in his mind, his thoughts surging like a tide.
—If a virus could be used as a medium to rewrite the code of life... perhaps it could create a 'controlled evolution'.
Unfortunately, he still needed experimental subjects.
He wouldn't lay a hand on children, but perhaps—
"Perhaps some Death Eaters should do the dirty work."
He murmured softly, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"Like that madwoman Bellatrix (Sirius's cousin, a Death Eater)... but her madness is too difficult to control."
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft sound.
The woman had woken up and was watching him.
"What are you thinking about?"
"My research."
"Have you found a way to cure Astoria's (Malfoy's future wife in the original work) blood curse?" She sat up, her expression complex.
"I've found a preliminary solution," he said calmly. "With enough samples, I might be able to completely eradicate your Greengrass family's bloodline curse. It just needs time."
She nodded, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
Half an hour later, they embraced in silence.
When she fell asleep again, Lin An rose and gently waved his wand.
His scattered clothes automatically floated up and neatly dressed themselves back onto him.
He tied his tie, ready to leave.
Her low voice came from behind him.
"Lin An."
He stopped.
"You know, this isn't just a transaction for me."
He didn't turn around.
"What do you mean?"
"Initially, I approached you to save my daughter. But after all these years... I've truly fallen for you. If one day you ask me to leave my husband, I wouldn't hesitate."
Lin An was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"I know. But some things, once defined, lose their original beauty."
With that, he stepped into the fireplace, flames swirling, and his figure vanished... He returned to his mansion.
All was quiet.
The embers in the fireplace glowed faintly in the dark, and he sat in an armchair, beginning to sort through his new experimental ideas.
"Momo."
He called softly.
With a soft pop, a House-elf in a neat little suit appeared.
Its ugly face looked particularly serious due to its strict etiquette.
She had been with him since he was six years old—
Watching him study, watching him travel, watching him immerse himself in research, watching him wander between darkness and light.
She was one of the few who truly understood him.
"Master, there are two letters this week," Momo respectfully held up the letters. "One from Hogwarts, and the other from Mrs. Amelia Bones."
"Read the Hogwarts one first."
He tore open the envelope and quickly scanned it.
The content was brief.
—The school officially appointed him as the Alchemy Professor for the new semester, starting in September.
He nodded.
"Looks like I'll have to go back again."
"As for Amelia's letter?"
Momo opened the second letter and quickly read out:
"Madam Bones insists that you attend the banquet tonight, otherwise she will send a thousand Howlers every day. If you still refuse, she will send Aurors to arrest you on trumped-up charges."
Lin An smiled.
"She would actually do that."
He leaned back in his chair, a hint of gentle helplessness in his eyes.
"Reply to her, tell her I'll be there on time."
Momo nodded and vanished into thin air.
The firelight in the fireplace danced again, illuminating his serene profile.
Lin An looked up at the window, the moonlight soft and white.
Five years of solitary journey and research seemed to converge into a clear flame of inspiration at this moment.
He murmured softly:
"The code of life... perhaps I am one step closer to the truth."
Chapter 12: The gate of the world
At midnight, the lights of the manor were refracted by runes into a soft, white glow. Unsealed letters were scattered across the desk; the ink was fresh, and the handwriting was neat and calm.
Over the past few hours, Lin An replied to dozens of letters—the recipients were the most powerful names in the contemporary magic World: Potion Masters, Alchemists, Presidents of the Runology Association, and even representatives of the International Confederation of Wizards.
These correspondences covered a wide range of topics, from ancient runes to Spatial Spell Formulas, and from Alchemy recipes to Dark Arts theories.
Five years of reclusion had not allowed him to be forgotten.
The Daily Prophet reported the "Return of the Genius Wizard Lin An Alvin," and within a few days, correspondence poured in like snowflakes.
Every letter represented a faction of interest, a desire, and a future gamble.
After replying to the last letter, Lin An got up and headed to the deepest part of the manor.
That Chamber of Secrets was forbidden even to the House-elves.
Dozens of defensive spells were stacked, layer upon layer, making the air feel tight. If an outsider mistakenly trespassed, they would be instantly torn to shreds by a thousand curses.
The door slowly opened, and a heart-stopping energy diffused with it.
In the center of the room stood a massive metal door, its surface covered with ancient runes. The metal glowed with an eerie blue light, and the surrounding space seemed to tremble slightly, even time itself was subtly distorted.
That was his greatest Alchemy achievement—the gate of the world.
The name sounded magnificent, but it was, in fact, still incomplete.
The space behind the door did not lead to other Worlds, but rather to an unstable dimensional rift.
Even so, this creation symbolized ambition—the key to countless Worlds.
Since the day he transmigrated to the magic World, Lin An had wondered: Why did I descend here? Are there others like me—from beyond the boundary of 'fiction'?
If those novels, films, and legends were all projections of real Worlds, how could one cross over to the other side?
Thus, the research began.
From Apparition and the Floo Network to Portkey principles, and then to the runic structure of time and space magic, he spent several years unraveling every layer of the spatial system's logic.
The gate of the world was the culmination of all this research.
The metal door vibrated slightly, and as the runes flashed, energy flowed like a tide.
The boundary of the World was right before his eyes, yet still unreachable.
The spatial coordinate system inside the door could break through the anti-Apparition wards of Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic, and could even transmit to any corner of the Solar System, provided the coordinates were accurately calculated.
But the true goal—crossing dimensions—had not yet been achieved.
In the laboratory, the air was filled with the mixed scent of metal and magic power.
The light array lit up, and numerical symbols floated like stardust. Lin An reached out to touch the runes on the door, murmuring, "Space is controllable, but time is still chaotic."
To solve the problem, he began researching the Time-Turner.
During his time at Hogwarts, he had tried to enroll in all courses just to obtain an official Time-Turner, but Dumbledore rejected the application.
Finally, he used the Bones Family's connections within the Ministry of Magic to privately acquire one.
Unfortunately, the result was not ideal.
The energies of time and space were incompatible—the gate of the world could either travel through space or rewind time, but not both simultaneously.
Even so, he managed to grant the portal a brief time-reversing function—three hours.
Although it was inferior to a true Time-Turner, it was enough to prove the theory was feasible.
"Just one step short."
His fingertip lightly touched the center of the door, and energy pulsed in his palm.
"Just that one step, and I can see another starry sky."
The light array slowly dimmed.
Lin An shut down the energy flow and deactivated all defenses. With the research notes completed, it was already close to dusk.
The Bones Family dinner was held in the evening.
Washing the residual magic powder from his hands and changing into a dark gray robe, he regained the image of that composed and elegant scholar... The dinner was held in the ancient Bones Manor. The long table was covered with deep red velvet cloth, silver candelabras shone, and the air was filled with the scent of spices and roast meat.
Sitting opposite was Amelia Bones—formerly the Ministry of Magic's strictest Law Enforcement Official, and now, in the current situation, one of the few who could still maintain clarity.
The sternness in her expression was like a blade, yet her eyes concealed a warmth hidden by the years.
"Do you really think you can do whatever you want now that you're an adult?" Her tone was flat, yet every word was chillingly heavy.
"Amelia, don't be too angry. I explained I would be gone for a few years before I left."
"Saying it doesn't mean you can vanish." Her fork lightly tapped the edge of her plate. "For five whole years, you only let me receive letters."
"One letter every week," Lin An smiled.
"Should I be grateful? Thankful that my nephew—the person I raised like a son—is willing to tell me he's still alive?"
The atmosphere froze momentarily. Lin An cleared his throat, changing the subject: "How is the situation at the Ministry of Magic lately?"
"Still chaotic. Fudge's foolishness makes me wonder if human evolution is regressing."
"I advised you to run for Minister early on."
"Dumbledore stood on his side back then; the odds of winning were too low."
"If you had used the methods I suggested, the winning odds would have been more than half." His lips curved slightly. "You will regret it sooner or later."
"Prophesying again?" Amelia put down her cutlery, her expression becoming serious.
"Indeed." He replied calmly. "Four to five years from now, Lord Voldemort will make a comeback, and the Second Wizarding War will break out."
The candlelight flickered, and the air suddenly turned cold.
Amelia was silent for a moment, her voice low: "I will prepare. But if that truly happens, what do you plan to do?"
"The Ministry of Magic needs strength." Lin An's tone was firm. "You must establish your own front line within the system. Use the Potions I gave you to recruit reliable people and strengthen their magicpower. Loyalty must be verified by time, not bound by oaths."
"I understand politics better than you." She smiled faintly, but did not refuse.
"Do not get too close to the people of the Order of the Phoenix," he warned. "You can cooperate, but don't pull them into the core."
"They are only loyal to Dumbledore."
"Precisely."
After a few minutes of silence, Amelia brought up another topic: "Susan will enroll in Hogwarts this year. If you genuinely go back to teach, please look after her for me."
"Of course."
The candlelight swayed, and the conversation gradually shifted to lighter topics. When the dinner ended, the night wind rustled the curtains, and the bright moon hung high.
Amelia stood at the door, watching that retreating figure leave.
Flames engulfed the figure, leaving only a faint light.
On the way back, Lin An pondered that door—
The gate of the world emitted a faint hum in his mind.
"Time and space will eventually be unified."
"Once I return to Hogwarts, this door will truly open."
The moonlight reflected in his eyes, casting a sharp gleam.
At that moment, the boundary between rationality and fanaticism almost overlapped.
—The other side of the World might be waiting to welcome the birth of a new god.